Animal scientists are constantly researching new possibilities to advance the beef cattle species. This is how the University of Florida (UF) Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) “accidentally” created a herd of White Angus cattle.
The RCREC was established in 1941 in order to conduct research on beef cattle in the unique subtropical region of southern Florida. The center’s research programs focus on subtropical beef production systems maximizing forage utilization efficiency.
A new breed is created
The Ona White Angus herd was the result of a genetic coloration anomaly that is still not fully understood, according to the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
The breed was not created by artificial genetic modification, but rather was the end result of an initial study conducted by F.M. Peacock, a UF genetics professor. In the study, the productivity traits of purebred and crossbred Black Angus, Charolais, and Brahman were observed.
Later, this cow herd was transitioned to a new study looking at reproductive efficiency when utilizing Simbrah bulls. The heifers from the Simbrah matings were retained, and the Simmental genetics were therefore introduced as a fourth breed in the study.
Eventually, the cow herd was moved into yet another study, where the cows were mated to Black Angus and black Brangus bulls. A few years later, a significant amount of white calves were being born into the herd. These calves were then mated to Black Angus bulls and over the next 12 years, individual cows were identified as passing the white phenotype trait onto their offspring. These cows eventually formed the foundation herd of the Ona White Angus.
Advantages of the new breed
The white hide combined with predominantly Angus genetics provides a significant opportunity for producers in hotter regions of the world, according to the UF IFAS.
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers produced a publication showcasing the heifer sweating rates of the Ona White Angus compared to Black Angus. The white-hided cattle showed an 83 percent greater sweating rate, and a 1.98 F lower vaginal temperature.
This data displayed a greater ability for the Ona White Angus to cool themselves down during periods of high heat and humidity. In addition, the white cattle spent less time looking for shade compared to the Black Angus.
“The Ona White Angus can provide significant value to beef production enterprises in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world,” read an IFAS report, “particularly in crossbreeding programs involving white phenotype cows, such as Nelore and Brahman.”
This crossbred offspring has the potential to produce the reproductive and carcass merit of the Angus breed, while retaining the white hide for an environmental advantage.
The next step
The herd consisted of 68 mature cows, 13 yearling heifers and seven bulls in September 2015. The complete group was sold in 2016 to a single buyer based out of Oklahoma.
[inline_image file=”ddd10ef54eca12110ddab696cdb963d3.jpg” caption=”White Angus vaginal temperatures were shown to be 1.98 F cooler compared to Black Angus.”]
“To move to the next step, we feel that this project will require significant investment in reproductive technologies, particularly embryo transfer,” the IFAS report read.
“To best achieve this outcome, the project would be best served by transferring it to a new owner with the desire and resources to invest in its future.”
Although this herd is the only set of White Angus cattle known to date, other organizations have been pursuing additional research to produce similar results, including through genetic modification. — Anna Miller, WLJ correspondent
